Each Friday my writing stems from a word prompt. Five minutes, one word prompt. The prompt this week is … Reward.
The Scripture came to mind as soon as I read the prompt. However, this time I sat looking at it for a long time.
It’s familiar to me but I felt like I was to focus on something that perhaps, I had overlooked in the past, or perhaps, forgotten.
“And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.”
(Hebrews 11:6, NLT)
A reward is typically received for outstanding merit or achievement. This verse tells me that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Faith is necessary.
We must believe that God exists and hears our prayers. In difficult times we are challenged to trust in God; waiting on Him to fulfill His promises can become a struggle.
As I sat looking at the verse, pulling out older Bibles to see if I had made any notes on the verse (I had none), my heart swelled as the thought entered my mind …
God has never expected or demanded perfection of me.
He has only longed for me to sincerely seek Him.
We (read I) make faith so difficult, when God simplifies it for us. His desire is for us to trust in His Word, to act on it even when circumstances are difficult. We seek Him during those times, obeying His principles, and trusting Him with the outcome.
“For the law never made anything perfect. But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.” (Hebrews 7:19, NLT)
I continue to see how Jesus has brought to us an upside-down kingdom. This world conveys rewards for perfection, while Jesus rewards us even in our imperfection and stumbling, for He is our reward.
He rewards us not for doing it in perfection,
but for seeking Him in our imperfection.
Today I am joining … Five Minute Friday and Faith On Fire and Fresh Market Friday and Faith ‘N Friends .
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the scripture from Hebrews. We all can benefit from your study of this verse! Jesus does give us the greatest reward, even though we are imperfect. Beautiful!
Laurie, knowing how imperfect I am, has made me ever so grateful for the way He loves me.
The prompt had me looking at it for a bit too! Our thoughts went in the same direction. Amen.
Susan, I read your post earlier. I am so grateful the word “reward” pointed us back to Calvary!
What a wonderful message! I pray we all seek Him today and every day.
Amen!
It’s great that we don’t receive rewards for being perfect. Thanks for saying it, we need to rehearse those words. Coming from FMF
He is our reward. Goodness. thanks for this reminder. It’s amazing how I sometimes forget this most obvious thing!
As I looked at the word prompt that is exactly what I realized. We either overlook this truth or forget it. I want to remember that I have already received the greatest reward in receiving Him into my heart.
“God rewards those who sincerely seek him” I appreciate your insight that God does not reward us for perfection, but rather for seeking Him!
As I considered the word, reward, my thoughts turned to Ruth who chose to follow Naomi and the God of Israel. She is a wonderful example for us.
Carol, thank you for pointing out it is a choice we make and may we make the choice to follow Him each and every day. Blessings!
What a blessing that He does not expect perfection from us! I want to be a diligent seeker and a person filled with faith!
Yes, me too, Jerralea. And as we sincerely seek Him, He will make us into women filled with faith. Blessings!
So many wonderful (encouraging, full of wisdom and appropriate) verses came to mind this morning when I read the prompt. But, somehow, I overlook Hebrews 11:6. It’s wonderful. God rewards those who diligently seek Him!! Thanks for the reminder – and the wise words this afternoon. Your posts are a blessing!
There were many wonderful verses pertaining to rewards. Your post was a good study of several. Blessings to you!
Faith=trust
What an awesome post, Joanne. I love it. Thank you. Abundant blessings to you!
Amen! He rewards us in relationship to Him, how amazing is that Joanne!
Lovely post.
Remember you’re most welcome to join me for a cuppa,
Blessings,
Jennifer
It constantly amazes me. And thank you for the cuppa 🙂
It is encouraging to remember that God is not looking for our perfection, but that we seek him, and that he longs for us to find him and receive that reward of closeness with him when we do.
Joanne, it is no accident I visited here first this morning. My heart needed this reminder that my faith doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to be present. Thank you!